Sleep apnea is basically a chronic disease that is widely spreading.
Most people with sleep apnea do not even realize how serious it is, as it has a negative effect on the functions of the body. It is caused by the low breathing during sleep, which is why it is considered a sleep disorder.
It can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, and even children suffer from this disorder. There are many other potential risks attached to this disease, which includes, being overweight, heart problems, high blood pressure, and a host of many other problems.
Causes and Symptoms :
Causes
Most of the times, the sleep apnea pauses the breath of the individual due to the tissue disintegrating in the back of the throat. However, this disorder interrupts the breathing of the individual repeatedly and the pause varies from person to person. In severe cases , the breathing is paused for about 30 minutes or more, which is why it can even result in death. The lack of oxygen might result in a jolting awakening of the individual and thus, the person may be induced to sleep deprivation.
The chief distinctive factor is loud snoring and the long pauses in the breathing or gasping during sleep. Obesity, old age, and smoking are some of the common causes of the sleep apnea. The prevention of this disorder varies according to the factor responsible for the cause. The person who suffers from mild sleep apnea is mostly unaware of his condition as the interruptions are not severe in the initial stage. This is one of the reasons why the issue remains untreated till the individual’s condition becomes chronic.
The Symptoms:
The symptoms of sleep apnea might vary in children and adults. Another distinctive feature of this disorder is that the individual feels fatigued and sleepy during the day. The individual finds it hard to concentrate, even if their mind was not conscious of every awakening during the night. However, if left untreated for a long time, it can have negative long-term effects on your body and mind, for instance, depression, diabetes, etc. Furthermore, there are three types of sleep apnea; i.e. obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea.
On the other hand, if you detect any mild symptoms of this disorder then you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. There are certain mouthpieces and breathing devices available in the market that can provide immediate relief from the excessive snoring and sleep apnea in general. Other than that, you should change your sleeping position, or add an extra pillow beneath your head so that it is elevated from the body.
Unless using sleep trackers, it is quite difficult for one to identify sleep apnea on their own as the prominent symptoms of the disorder occur only when you are asleep. Therefore, it is vital for you to get yourself checked as soon as you identify the problems you are having.
